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Police Confiscate Guns in Vallar St. Residence

Boston Police seized two guns in East Boston over the weekend and four more throughout Boston as officers have stepped up patrols in Boston neighborhoods following a rash of deadly shootings.

Police confiscated the firearms on Vallar Street in Eastie Saturday night while responding to a fight and a report of shots fired.

Police arrested Jesus Ruiz-DeLeon, 25, and Benito Ruiz-Rivera, 24, both of Boston, and charged them with armed robbery and assault with dangerous weapon.

“This should send a strong message to those who possess illegal firearms that when it comes to combating gun violence, our officers are out there and fully committed to making our city the safest city it can be,” said Police Commissioner William B. Evans in statement following the arrests.

There have been nine murders in Boston in the first three weeks of 2014. This is three times higher than the rate during the same period last year.

This has forced Mayor Martin Walsh to crack down on illegal guns and gang violence in the city.

“In the coming days, I will be convening several groups to discuss actions we can take in several of the areas that I discussed with Commissioner Evans and his Command Staff,” said Walsh. “We will work with all levels of government, law enforcement, and the community to reduce the trauma in our neighborhoods, get guns off the street, and address the underlying causes of violence.”

Walsh added that while there is no single solution, improving public safety is among his highest priorities.

“This kind of violence cannot become commonplace; we should be shocked every time we hear of another shooting, of another death in our community,” he said.